About Saint Timothy · Columbus, Ohio
St. Timothy Catholic Church is a parish of the Diocese of Columbus located on the northwest side of Columbus, Ohio, tucked between Riverside Hospital and The Ohio State University Golf Course at 1088 Thomas Lane. Established on November 29, 1961 by Bishop Clarence G. Issenmann to serve the booming population northwest of OSU, the parish celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 2011–2012. Today it operates as a combined parish and K-8 Catholic school community (St. Timothy School, 1070 Thomas Lane), offering daily and weekend Masses, Reconciliation, religious education and a full range of ministries. Its stated mission is 'to be disciples of the Lord in a welcoming parish,' welcoming lifelong Catholics, returning Catholics, and inquirers alike.
- Established
- 1961
- Patron
- Saint Timothy
- Rector
- Reverend Daniel Ochs (Parochial Administrator, since July 29, 2023). Fr. David A. Poliafico was pastor from his assignment to July 29, 2023, when he went on medical leave; Fr. Daniel Ochs was appointed Parochial Administrator the same day.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Columbus
Why belong here
St. Timothy is a tight-knit Catholic parish-and-school community on Columbus's northwest side that combines traditional liturgy with genuine welcome to newcomers, returning Catholics and inquirers. Daily Mass Monday-Friday, three weekend Masses, regular Saturday confessions, Eucharistic Adoration and a Year-of-St.-Timothy tradition of family prayer intentions give the parish a strong devotional rhythm. A K-8 parish school, a robust Religious Education program, a music ministry and a children's choir under a parish Music Director, plus outreach and a Festival tradition, mean there are concrete ways for any age or stage to plug in. The Golden Jubilee (2011-2012) — and the celebration of paying off a $1.96 million diocesan debt — testify to the parishioners' stewardship and long-term commitment.
Mass times at Saint Timothy
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 – 4:30 pm
Parish History
Founded in 1961 by Bishop Clarence G. Issenmann and dedicated in 1963 by Father Augustine L. 'Father Gus' Winkler, St. Timothy grew rapidly with the northwest Columbus suburbs. Charter members came from St. Andrew, St. Agatha and Our Lady of Peace parishes, and the parish marked its Golden Jubilee in 2011-2012 with a Year of St. Timothy, a Jubilee Vigil Mass celebrated by Bishop Campbell on November 26, 2011, and the retirement of its 50-year debt. The original 1963 brick complex — combining a 'temporary' church, eight classrooms, parish hall seating 300, cafeteria and offices — still serves the parish today.
- Established November 29, 1961 (Bishop Issenmann)
- 11 acres purchased on Thomas Lane in 1959
- First Mass: December 10, 1961 at Cranbrook School gym
- Groundbreaking: September 2, 1962 on Turkey Run hillside
- First Mass in new building: January 6, 1963
- Dedication: May 23, 1963
- Golden Jubilee Year: 2011-2012; Jubilee Vigil Mass Nov 26, 2011
- Parish Aid Fund loan paid in full by September 30, 2011 ($1,964,591.33)
Mass & Sacraments
St. Timothy offers a steady rhythm of weekday and Sunday Masses, Saturday Confessions, and preparation for Baptism, First Communion and Marriage. The parish has historically offered a 5 pm Saturday Vigil and two Sunday Masses; Holy Day Masses are scheduled at the Vigil (6 pm) and on the Feast Day itself (9 am and 6 pm) unless otherwise noted. Gluten-free / low-gluten hosts are available on request to the sacristan before Mass.
- Daily Mass: Monday – Friday, 9:00 am
- Saturday Vigil: 5:00 pm
- Sunday: 9:00 am and 11:00 am
- Holy Day Vigil: 6:00 pm; Holy Day 9:00 am & 6:00 pm
- Confessions: Saturday 4:00 – 4:30 pm
- Baptism, First Communion and Marriage preparation
- Anointing of the Sick on request
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is currently administered by Reverend Daniel Ochs as Parochial Administrator following Father David A. Poliafico's medical leave in July 2023. Two deacons — Deacon Marion Smithberger and Deacon Victor Nduaguba — assist with ministry. Lay staff include administrative assistants John Tuttle and Pandora Porcase, business manager/bookkeeper John Wensinger, Director of Religious Education Ellen Peppercorn, Music Director Andrea Graves and Children's Choir director Kristen Babjak. Monsignor John G. Johnson, a former pastor who led the most recent debt-retirement campaign, is retired and listed in residence at St. Agatha.
- Rev. Daniel Ochs — Parochial Administrator (since July 29, 2023)
- Rev. David A. Poliafico — Pastor on Medical Leave (since July 29, 2023)
- Deacon Marion Smithberger
- Deacon Victor Nduaguba
- John Tuttle — Administrative Assistant
- Pandora Porcase — Administrative Assistant
- John Wensinger — Business Manager / Bookkeeper
- Ellen Peppercorn — Director of Religious Education
- Andrea Graves — Music Director
- Kristen Babjak — Children's Choir
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Religious Education has been part of St. Timothy since September 1962, when about 300 children were enrolled in CCD classes held at Cranbrook Elementary School. Today the program is led by Ellen Peppercorn, Director of Religious Education, and runs alongside the parish school. Sacramental preparation for Baptism, First Communion and Marriage is offered through the parish office, and RCIA-style formation for adults is referenced under 'Grow with us'.
- CCD began September 1962 at Cranbrook School (~300 students)
- Today: parish DRE-led PSR / CCD
- Baptism, First Communion, Marriage preparation
- Adult faith formation / RCIA inquiry
St. Timothy School (K-8)
St. Timothy School opened in the 1963-1964 academic year in the same brick complex as the church, at 1070 Thomas Lane, and marked its own Golden Jubilee in 2012-2013. The school is led by Principal George Mosholder with Emily Sheard as secretary, and shares the parish campus and Children's Choir program. It serves as a key ministry of the parish and a feeder for faith formation from Kindergarten through Grade 8.
- Opened 1963-1964 academic year
- Address: 1070 Thomas Lane, Columbus, OH 43220
- Phone: 614-451-0739
- Principal: George Mosholder
- Secretary: Emily Sheard
- Children's Choir shared with parish music ministry
Music & Liturgy
Music is led by Music Director Andrea Graves and Children's Choir director Kristen Babjak. The parish celebrated its smooth transition to the new Roman Missal in late 2011; Bishop Campbell publicly noted St. Timothy as well prepared for the change.
- Music Director: Andrea Graves
- Children's Choir: Kristen Babjak
- Successful transition to the new Roman Missal (Advent 2011)
Devotions & Parish Life
The parish has a long tradition of marking the Feast of St. Timothy (January 26) with a special Mass and an annual pastoral prayer intention; during the Jubilee Year the intention was 'Year of St. Timothy.' The annual parish Festival brings together current and former parishioners, and Fr. Tim Hayes organized a 10-day pilgrimage to the Holy Land in February 2010. Yearly family-prayer intentions are promoted, and the parish has historically held a Holy Hour of Eucharistic prayer.
- Annual Feast of St. Timothy Mass and intention
- Year of St. Timothy (2011-2012)
- Annual parish Festival with Holy Hour
- Past Holy Land pilgrimage (Feb 7-16, 2010)
- Family-prayer intentions
Outreach & Stewardship
St. Timothy runs giving campaigns under 'Serve with us' and the historic Campaign for St. Timothy. The most recent campaign, led during and after the Jubilee, retired the parish's $1.96 million Diocesan Parish Aid Fund loan by September 30, 2011. Outreach to those in need, FLOCKNOTE communications, parish registration, and stewardship of treasure, time and talent are central to parish life.
- Campaign for St. Timothy (capital / debt-retirement)
- Parish Aid Fund loan paid in full by September 30, 2011 (peak $1,964,591.33)
- FLOCKNOTE text/email communications
- Parish registration for accurate stewardship and offertory giving
- Outreach to those in need
Contact & Location
St. Timothy Catholic Church is located in a quiet residential neighborhood on Columbus's northwest side, between Riverside Hospital and The Ohio State University Golf Course. The parish offices are at 1088 Thomas Lane, Columbus, OH 43220; the school at 1070 Thomas Lane.
- Parish Address: 1088 Thomas Lane, Columbus, OH 43220
- Phone: 614-451-2671
- Email: [email protected]
- School Address: 1070 Thomas Lane, Columbus, OH 43220
- School Phone: 614-451-0739
- Diocese: Diocese of Columbus
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Augustine L. 'Father Gus' Winkler1961–(early-mid 1960s)
Founding pastor. Previously pastor of St. Edward, Granville, and superintendent of Newark Catholic High School. Celebrated first Mass Dec 10, 1961 at Cranbrook School; broke ground Sept 2, 1962; first Mass in new building Jan 6, 1963; dedication May 23, 1963.
- Rev. James P. Hanley1992 (returned as pastor)
Returned to St. Timothy in July 1992 after earlier ministry there (1981-82). Wrote 'A Word from Your New Pastor' on assignment by Bishop Griffin. Later became Msgr. Hanley; noted in parish history.
- Rev. Theodore 'Ted' Thomas1983 / mid-1980s
Served at St. Timothy in 1983 (with Fr. Hanley). Pastor during CCD transition in 1985 when Rosemary Rengers took over the program from Sharon Petrelli. Wrote 'A Word from Your Pastor' columns in parish bulletins.
- Rev. Thomas Shonebargerearly 2000s (per Catholic directory listing)
Listed in the diocesan directory with Msgr. Michael A. Nugent in residence; parish secretary Lucy V. Hickey.
- Msgr. John G. Johnsonpreceding Fr. Hayes / through 2010s
Served as pastor and led the most recent parish debt-retirement effort. The Jubilee blog credits him with the campaign that eliminated the Parish Aid Fund loan by Sept 30, 2011. Now retired, listed in residence at St. Agatha, Columbus.
- Rev. Timothy M. 'Tim' Hayesapprox. 2011–2018
Pastor during the 50th Jubilee Year (2011-2012); invited parishioners on a 10-day Holy Land pilgrimage Feb 7-16, 2010; led the 'Year of St. Timothy' and family-prayer intentions. Later assigned to St. Edward the Confessor, Granville (per current diocesan directory).
- Rev. David A. Poliafico2018 – July 29, 2023
Most recent pastor before Fr. Ochs; placed on medical leave effective July 29, 2023 per Catholic Times clergy-assignment announcement.
- Rev. Daniel OchsJuly 29, 2023 – present
Appointed Parochial Administrator from retirement, effective July 29, 2023.